A Church in Saudi Arabia?

Those who support the establishment of Christian churches in Saudi Arabia cite the following reasons:

• Freedom of religion is a basic human right.
• Muslims enjoy freedom of worship in many non-Muslim countries.
• The number of Christians in the country is low enough that the "Islamic identity" of the country will not be affected.
• There is precedence in Islamic history and law, as the Prophet Muhammad and later leaders protected minority religious rights.
• Other neighboring countries have already opened up Christian worship services.

There are others, especially within Saudi Arabia, who oppose the establishment of Christian churches within the country. They cite the following reasons:

• Saudi Arabia is the homeland of Islam, and the home to its most holy cities.
• Allowing religions other than Islam will diffuse the country's identity.
• Christianity (particularly Catholicism) promotes polytheistic ideas which cannot be tolerated (see first point).
• If one religion (Christianity) is allowed to worship publicly, then other religions must also be accommodated, increasing the possiblity that the country will lose its Islamic identity.
• There may be an increase in conflicts among faith communities. Protection of houses of worship may be required and costly.

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